It has been announced that Paul McCartney and Elton John will make an appearance in the upcoming sequel to the popular mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap. Filming for the sequel is set to begin in the early months of next year.
Rob Reiner, who directed the first movie in 1984 and also the sequel, was a guest on comedian Richard Herring’s podcast, RHLSTP (Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast). Reiner shared with Herring that he was a fan of This Is Spinal Tap, and that the original cast would be returning for the sequel, with filming starting at the end of February.
Reiner mentioned that both Paul McCartney and Elton John will be joining us, as well as American country music artist Garth Brooks.
In May 2022, there were reports that a sequel to Spinal Tap was in the works and being presented at the Cannes film festival market. Director Reiner mentioned that people often suggest a sequel, but it wasn’t until they had the right concept that they considered pursuing it. They want to pay tribute to the original while also pushing the story further.
The main actors from the first film, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, and Christopher Guest, are set to reprise their roles. However, Tony Hendra, who played manager Ian Faith, passed away in 2021. The plot will focus on Faith’s death and his widow inheriting a contract that requires the band to hold one final concert. Reiner will also make an appearance as filmmaker Marty DiBergi, a character inspired by Martin Scorsese, who directed the acclaimed music documentary The Last Waltz in 1976.
During the podcast, Reiner also discussed the enduring popularity of This Is Spinal Tap, which was eventually recognized by its inclusion in the National Film Registry in 2002. Despite its initial negative reception, the film has gained a cult following over the years. Reiner reflected on the unexpected journey of the film, stating, “It’s strange to think that we ended up in the National Film Registry. When we first showed it in Dallas, Texas, the audience didn’t understand it at all. They came up to me afterwards and asked, ‘Why would you make a movie about a band no one has ever heard of, and they’re terrible? Why not make a movie about the Beatles or the Rolling Stones?’ I would explain that it’s satire, but it took time for people to catch on and appreciate it.”
Source: theguardian.com
